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2018 Ktm 1290 Super Duke R

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
2Owner complaints

Model-year median: 2

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes
2

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

2 reports
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3,102 miles · Jun 17, 2019
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R. WHILE RIDING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MOTORCYCLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE FAILURE BECAME MORE SEVERE AS THE SPEED INCREASED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLD COAST MOTOR SPORTS (2070 JERICHO TURNPIKE, NEW HIGHLAND PARK, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FRONT BRAKE DISCS WERE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R. WHILE RIDING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE MOTORCYCLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. THE FAILURE BECAME MORE SEVERE AS THE SPEED INCREASED. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO GOLD COAST MOTOR SPORTS (2070 JERICHO TURNPIKE, NEW HIGHLAND PARK, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TWO FRONT BRAKE DISCS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,102.

NHTSA ODI #11220698

1,500 miles · Nov 11, 2018
Service Brakes

FRONT BRAKES ARE INCONSISTENT / GRABBY AT SLOW SPEEDS. <10MPH THEY MAKE A RUBBING NOISE/FEEL AND THE LEVER IS ON/OFF IN LIEU OF PROGRESSIVE AS YOU'D EXPECT. FRONT WHEEL CAN (AND DID) LOCK UP IN PARKING LOT MANEUVERS AND CAUSE A TIP OVER (I SAVED IT). I BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS A MFG DEFECT WITH TOLERANCES FOR FRONT RIM AND CAUSES…

Read full complaint

FRONT BRAKES ARE INCONSISTENT / GRABBY AT SLOW SPEEDS. <10MPH THEY MAKE A RUBBING NOISE/FEEL AND THE LEVER IS ON/OFF IN LIEU OF PROGRESSIVE AS YOU'D EXPECT. FRONT WHEEL CAN (AND DID) LOCK UP IN PARKING LOT MANEUVERS AND CAUSE A TIP OVER (I SAVED IT). I BELIEVE THE CAUSE IS A MFG DEFECT WITH TOLERANCES FOR FRONT RIM AND CAUSES ROTORS TO WARP. HAS HAPPENED SINCE NEW AND CAN BE CONFIRMED BY PUSHING THE BIKE AROUND (UNMOUNTED) AND YOU CAN FEEL THE RUBBING / NOISE. DEALER CLAIMED NORMAL BEHAVIOR BUT WARPED DISCS DO NOT SUPPORT QUALITY/CONSISTENT BRAKING ON A MOTORCYCLE, ESPECIALLY A HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE.

NHTSA ODI #11150793

Official recalls

1

18V033000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

Jan 10, 2018

KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 1290 Super Duke R ABS, 2016 1290 Super Duke R SE ABS and 1290 Super Duke GT ABS and 2017-2018 Super Duke R and1290 Super Duke GT motorcycles. The piston within the Brembo front brake master cylinder may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front brake master cylinder piston fails, the loss of front braking ability can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: KTM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the piston with an aluminum one, free of charge. The recall began on February 21, 2018. Owner's may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.